اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْئًا وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لاَ أَعْلَمُ
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I associate with You unknowingly.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika an ushrika bika shai'an wa ana a'lamu, wa astaghfiruka lima la a'lamu.
When to Read
This dua is particularly poignant to recite in the morning and evening. It's a powerful way to start and end your day by reaffirming your Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) and seeking protection against the most subtle yet destructive of sins.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity, raising your hands as the Prophet ﷺ often did when making dua. Focus on the meaning of the words, acknowledging Allah's absolute power and your dependence on His mercy. The act of seeking forgiveness for what you may have unknowingly done is a sign of humility and awareness of your own limitations.
Virtues & Benefits
Shirk, the association of partners with Allah, is the gravest sin in Islam. This dua directly addresses our innate human weakness and the potential for hidden forms of shirk, like pride or reliance on means other than Allah, to creep into our hearts. By seeking refuge from shirk knowingly, we are reaffirming our commitment to pure worship. By seeking forgiveness for the unknowingly committed shirk, we are cleansing ourselves of any unintentional deviations. This dua is a shield against falling into the most serious of offenses, thereby safeguarding our faith and our ultimate return to Allah.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet ﷺ said to me: "O Abu Musa, have you prayed?" I said: "Yes." He said: "Then say: Allahumma inni a'udhu bika an ushrika bika shai'an wa ana a'lamu, wa astaghfiruka lima la a'lamu." (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I associate with You unknowingly.)